HomeSportRelief for Germany after narrow win over ‘brave’ Northern Ireland

Relief for Germany after narrow win over ‘brave’ Northern Ireland

11/09/2019

BELFAST (AFP) – Germany coach Joachim Loew said his team are still in a “learning phase” after they steered their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign back on course with a nervy 2-0 win over Northern Ireland early yesterday.

Germany came to Belfast in need of a win after a bitter 4-2 home defeat by the Netherlands in Hamburg last Friday left them in danger of dropping out of the automatic qualification spots.

Yet early yesterday’s victory saw them knock Northern Ireland off the top of Group C, ending a spotless run of four wins in four for Michael O’Neill’s side.

“We were under pressure after the defeat to the Netherlands,” Loew told broadcaster RTL.

His team’s nerves showed in the first half, before goals from Marcel Halstenberg and Serge Gnabry sealed the three points after the break.

Germany’s midfielder Serge Gnabry celebrates after his side’s second goal during the Euro 2020 football qualification match between Northern Ireland and Germany. PHOTO: AFP

“We had to overcome a few problems in the game – the Northern Irish were brave and attacked us early on,” said Loew.

Loew’s team struggled against a fearless Northern Ireland side in the first half. Conor Washington forced an early save from goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, and nearly bundled the ball in at a goalmouth scramble shortly before half-time.

Left-back Halstenberg broke the deadlock with an inch-perfect half-volley just after the break, smashing a bouncing ball into the top corner to pick up his first-ever international goal. A string of chances followed for Germany, with Marco Reus and Timo Werner both forcing saves from Bailey Peacock-Farrell.

Having ridden out the storm, Northern Ireland quickly began to expose Germany’s defensive frailties again and almost equalised through Stuart Dallas just after the hour mark.

Yet Bayern Munich winger Gnabry finally sealed the win two minutes into injury time, squeezing the ball past Peacock-Farrell from the tightest of angles.